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nChapter 89: Mother and Son

nIt was dark. The blue haze of day lifted to reveal the twinkling stars. Rihannan and the Queen’s reminiscent talks came to an end and she said her farewells to the Queen, but a brewing thunder and heavy rain fell. The roads would be muddy and dangerous to thread on at this time of the hour.

nThe Queen dissuaded Rihannan from leaving.

nShe nodded and stayed overnight.

nThe Queen guided Rihannan to the guest room she’d sleep in. The maids were attentive to her every need. After a fresh bath, she slumped on the bed and tossed and turned… unable to sleep. Time had taken on a different form, more plentiful than it ever was. Her mind was alight with forms of darkness, but eventually, sleep overtook her and dreamt of heavy blackness.

nShe awoke from the strange noise outside the palace.

nThe pitter-patter rain had long ceased to be. A silhouette light seeped through from the gaps on the window curtain.

nShe looked around.

nThe door burst open a second later.

nRihannan stepped out of the comfort of her bed and identified the unknown figure.

n“…Your Majesty?”

nIt was Igor. Purple eyes swept through the bed then fixed onto her face. A sigh of relief crossed his face before it hardened.

nRihannan grew nervous at the sight of his coldness.

nThe black cape he wore was wet. Droplets of water dropped onto the floor. A black sword slung over his waist.

nRihannan pursed her lips. “What are you…”

nIgor jerked his head and turned around.

n“Put some clothes on. I’ll give you a minute,” he spat out quickly.

nRihannan wore nothing but a thin layer of pajamas.

nIgor closed the door and left while she hurriedly covered herself subconsciously.

nShe did not know what had occurred. The current air was thick and unusual. She hurriedly put on a set of clothing over her thin layers and a coat before walking out of the door.

nA hand snatched her wrist abruptly.

n“Your Majesty!”

nShe did not have a chance to protest. Igor held her hand and began to walk. She had difficulty keeping up with his wide strides and above all, his face looked like it’d explode at any moment.

n“Stop right now at this instant, Igor!”

nA loud clamoring voice rang from behind. Igor stopped and turned around, pulling Rihannan behind him.

nIt was the Queen. She was in her pajamas and a wide shawl. She must’ve been sleeping not too long ago.

n“How rude of you? How dare you make a fuss in the middle of the night?”

nHer face was wrought with anger. She’d never experienced an ordeal of her son nor anyone trespass her residence in such manner.

nIgor’s action showed contempt toward her.

nIt was natural that she felt angry, but Igor paid it no mind.

n“Don’t call for my wife without my permission in the future. I won’t allow this to happen again,” Igor said coldly.

n“Must I be treated like this for wanting to see my goddaughter?”

nShe was hurt.

n“She is my wife before she is your goddaughter, mother. Or are you mistaking this as a time when every little thing was wrapped around your fingers?”

nRihannan covered her mouth, amazed at the intensity of Igor’s words. She’d never seen his ruthlessness toward his mother. Though his words were sharp, he always kept his basic courtesy at hand.

nThe Queen was left speechless. She looked at her own son and could not hold back her rising anger… but… her eyes spoke much sadness. “Is this the sort of thing you say to your mother? Do you have nothing kind to say to me? To the person who you’ve not seen for a long time?”

n“I wouldn’t have to say such harsh things if you hadn’t dragged my wife away.”

n“Why would I think of doing such a thing? Ask Rihannan. Did I, like he said, drag you here to be locked up?!”

nRihannan was once again caught in the middle, and once again she had no choice but to intrude.

nAnd what she would do was clarify the truth.

n“Your Majesty, I–”

n“I’ll hear you out when we get back to the palace.”

nIgor interrupted her words. He looked at Rihannan; his gaze was soft and courteous, but it told her not to speak a single word out loud.

n“This is a matter between me and my mother. Please don’t intervene…”

nRihannan sighed and nodded.

nFine.

nShe’ll let it be and hold her breath for his sake.

n“…Why do you do this to me, Igor? Why do you treat me like this…?”

nWords full of sorrow seeped out from the Queen’s lips.

nHer heart cracked open.

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